With the rental market in Ireland and particularly in Dublin being what it is, the chances are that at some point you will have to rent a house with a person or people you don’t know. This can be a strange experience not least because it is natural to share your home with family or at least people you know. But such is life that this may not always be possible and in this article we look at how to make the best of this situation should it arise.

One of the most important things to remember when renting a house with strangers is that everyone is different and has different habits. This means that you may be required to show a little more patience than you would with a friend or family member. What you consider clean and what your housemate considers clean may be different things. This also goes for numerous other things so it is important to have a sit down early and discuss your pet peeves and how all the different parties like to see things done. This may be easier said than done when you are speaking about total strangers but a brief discussion early on may save a lot of stress and negativity later on if people start to get on each other’s nerves. A basic rule that should help things run smoothly for everyone is that all communal areas should be kept clean at all times. This is particularly important for the kitchen because there is nothing more frustrating than having to clean up after someone else before you cook you own meal. It all boils down to common courtesy and a simple clean as you go policy will make things run smoothly. If you dirty it you clean it!

As awkward as sitting down with a complete stranger can be, it’s important that there is some socialising together in the house. If a situation develops that sees everyone hiding in their rooms at all times it will make it a strange atmosphere to live in. You may live with a stranger but they don’t have to be a stranger forever. While it’s fair to say you won’t be best friends with everyone you live with there should be enough mutual respect to at least share the same room together and not be uncomfortable. You never want to find yourself in a situation where you are dreading coming home in the evening because that is unsustainable. Your home is a place that should be a sanctuary, and no matter who you live with you should always feel relaxed and comfortable and look forward to going home. It is also important to be honest and open. If something is bothering you then you need to bring it up or else it is more than likely going to fester underneath the surface and come out at 3am some night you come home drunk. The last thing you want in your home is a toxic atmosphere.

There is no doubt that there is nothing easy about living with strangers but it is now a fact of modern life. You are better embracing it and trying to make the best of the situation rather than isolating yourself in your room. It is also good to remember that no matter who you live with no one should ever make it unbearable to live in your home. If you do find yourself dealing with a roommate that you do not get along with and you have made an effort to make things work then something needs to give. Someone will have to go because life is too short to share it with someone you can’t stand to be around. You are paying good money to live in a house so you should be able to enjoy it so the second you feel uneasy or anxious about going home then it is time to seriously consider making a change.

Now that the holidays have finished, and everything is slowly returning to its usual routine. It... more»

How To Handle Renting With Strangers

July 18, 2016 (No Comments) by theSharpeUser

With the rental market in Ireland and particularly in Dublin being what it is, the chances are that at some point you will have to rent a house with a person or people you don’t know. This can be a strange experience not least because it is natural to share your home with family or at least people you know. But such is life that this may not always be possible and in this article we look at how to make the best of this situation should it arise.

One of the most important things to remember when renting a house with strangers is that everyone is different and has different habits. This means that you may be required to show a little more patience than you would with a friend or family member. What you consider clean and what your housemate considers clean may be different things. This also goes for numerous other things so it is important to have a sit down early and discuss your pet peeves and how all the different parties like to see things done. This may be easier said than done when you are speaking about total strangers but a brief discussion early on may save a lot of stress and negativity later on if people start to get on each other’s nerves. A basic rule that should help things run smoothly for everyone is that all communal areas should be kept clean at all times. This is particularly important for the kitchen because there is nothing more frustrating than having to clean up after someone else before you cook you own meal. It all boils down to common courtesy and a simple clean as you go policy will make things run smoothly. If you dirty it you clean it!

As awkward as sitting down with a complete stranger can be, it’s important that there is some socialising together in the house. If a situation develops that sees everyone hiding in their rooms at all times it will make it a strange atmosphere to live in. You may live with a stranger but they don’t have to be a stranger forever. While it’s fair to say you won’t be best friends with everyone you live with there should be enough mutual respect to at least share the same room together and not be uncomfortable. You never want to find yourself in a situation where you are dreading coming home in the evening because that is unsustainable. Your home is a place that should be a sanctuary, and no matter who you live with you should always feel relaxed and comfortable and look forward to going home. It is also important to be honest and open. If something is bothering you then you need to bring it up or else it is more than likely going to fester underneath the surface and come out at 3am some night you come home drunk. The last thing you want in your home is a toxic atmosphere.

There is no doubt that there is nothing easy about living with strangers but it is now a fact of modern life. You are better embracing it and trying to make the best of the situation rather than isolating yourself in your room. It is also good to remember that no matter who you live with no one should ever make it unbearable to live in your home. If you do find yourself dealing with a roommate that you do not get along with and you have made an effort to make things work then something needs to give. Someone will have to go because life is too short to share it with someone you can’t stand to be around. You are paying good money to live in a house so you should be able to enjoy it so the second you feel uneasy or anxious about going home then it is time to seriously consider making a change.